Attack on Playground in Palma: Four-Year-Old Injured by Dog Bite

Incident on Playground in Palma

On Friday afternoon, a quiet city park next to the Sagrado Corazón school in Palma erupted in turmoil: a four-year-old girl was attacked by a larger dog there and injured in the face. According to the family, the dog was unleashed and without a muzzle, entered the play area and knocked the child to the ground.

What witnesses report

Several parents who were watching their children on the swings and building sandcastles say the scene lasted only a few seconds. The girl's grandmother, who works as a nurse, immediately stepped in and provided first aid: a cut-and-crush wound on the left cheek, plus a bruise on the forehead. Such images linger; you can't shrug them off.

The dog's owner reportedly intervened only when the animal did not release on its own. She reportedly told witnesses that the dog "just wanted to play" and refused to provide papers on vaccination status or health certificates. Residents on the street say the area is marked with signs prohibiting off-leash dogs.

Authorities and the family's reaction

The family called the emergency number and requested medical and police assistance. Because no one arrived within about 20 minutes, they took the child home, treated the wound, and then drove to a medical center themselves. Whether criminal charges or a report for violating leash and muzzle rules have been filed is still pending, according to relatives. Several residents now desire stricter controls at playgrounds.

Legal background: In Spain, pit bull-type dogs are considered potentially dangerous and are subject to muzzle and leash requirements. Authorities can order measures if rules are violated. In everyday life, however, it often comes down to staffing hours, priorities, and the density of controls – that's what neighbors complain about.

Aftereffects and small everyday tips

Such an incident raises questions: Are warning signs respected? Does the municipality conduct enough checks? And how do dog owners react in risky moments? For parents, the message is again: stay alert, have your phones ready, and have clear agreements about where the little ones may play. If you witness something, take photos, note identities, and, if in doubt, file a report. And: have a doctor check whether a booster vaccination is needed.

No one wants to demonize dog ownership. Many dogs are peaceful. But an evening on a park bench with worried parents and a child who comes home with a bandage and is sleepy shows: rules must be observed – and sometimes enforced.